Request for funding for a concrete skatepark; cited a Change.org petition with 725 signatures, referenced a prior city presentation recommending a 44,000 sq ft park, proposed a phase-one starter park similar to Barber Park in Orange County for approximately $300,000, questioned how $569,000 for a disc golf course appeared in the budget without public advocacy, and described years of advocacy beginning in 2023 including meetings with the Vice Mayor, parks director, and staff.
Alleged that Council Member Gambaro is seated unlawfully because the city charter requires a special election for the remaining two years of a vacated term, which was never held; argued the city attorney misguided council on this in August 2024; alleged election sign interference at county-operated polling locations the prior day, including signs being removed or hidden; stated her own candidate signs were retrieved from a closed garage and behind a trash can.
Advocated for a concrete skatepark as a third-generation Flagler County resident; stated residents travel to other counties to skateboard, spending money there; supported a phased approach starting with a smaller park with room to expand; noted she does not use disc golf or pickleball.
Carl Cody (Stormwater/Engineering Director), Brian Ro (Utilities), and Matt Manel (Public Works/Fleet) presented the five-year capital improvement plan and fleet budget across all funds: capital projects, streets improvement, transportation and recreation impact fees, CRA, storm water management, utility capital, and fleet.
Key council direction included: switching FY29 arterial roads to FY27, funding Town Center Boulevard repaving from CRA rather than the streets fund, removing Hargrove Road from the city-funded plan pending developer and DRRI obligations, and deferring the FY27 storm water loan.
Council also discussed the high cost of wastewater capacity relative to current capacity fees, the ongoing HBA impact fee litigation, skatepark design procurement, YMCA/CRA funding strategy, and Old Kings Road North phase 2 bid timeline.
Fleet presentation covered 860 assets managed by 15 staff, with one mechanic addition proposed, and $4 million in vehicle replacements including 53 golf cart replacements funded from golf course revenues.
The presentation on proposed amendments to the Land Development Code was rescheduled at council's request to workshop sessions on September 8 and September 15, 2026.
The presenter (referred to as Mr.
Papa) was released.
City Attorney Duffy presented a draft historical preservation ordinance (Chapter 10.05) that would create a city register of historic places, require cultural resource surveys for lands not previously investigated, establish a Historical Preservation Officer position (appointed by city manager), and create a five-member preservation board (reduced from seven per council direction) with two alternates meeting at least four times per year.
Key council feedback included adding a temporal limit on prior survey exemptions (e.g., 10-year expiration), ensuring historic designations are recorded in title records to notify future buyers, and reducing board membership to five primary plus two alternates.
The ordinance will proceed to the planning board and then return for two council readings.
Expressed support for prioritizing residential collector road repairs and maintaining storm water funding; raised the concept of impact fee districts as a potentially underexplored mechanism to differentiate fees for in-fill lots served by existing 60-year-old infrastructure versus entirely new utility systems, noting this was raised previously but not pursued.
Raised three questions about the historical preservation ordinance: (1) whether all parcels including small residential lots would require a historical survey and what that would cost; (2) what protections would apply to a 1970s home a buyer wishes to demolish and rebuild; and (3) whether city-owned structures like Fire Station 22, which is undergoing renovation, would be subject to the ordinance's review requirements.
Provided historical context on site preservation: noted that Sawmill Estates development in 2022-2023 destroyed significant archaeological sites that were not identified in 2002 survey paperwork, illustrating the importance of temporal limits on prior surveys; stated he actively searches for previously unknown historic sites; noted that the Yoga site on the western expansion should be on the National Register of Historic Places and the Black Historic Trail but requires owner (Radiant) consent; identified 3 Casper Drive as the first house built in Palm Coast and eligible for the National Register; suggested Palm Harbor could qualify as a historic district.